The Philippine government has several times denied involvement in summary killings, saying drug suspects slain in police anti-drug operations had put up violent resistance.

The UN General Assembly will vote on Friday to fill one-third of the 47-member council for the 2019 to 2021 term.

The HRW also called on the UN for a "competitive elections." It said all candidates are "virtually assured seats on the council" regardless of their human rights record.

“Many UN member states talk a good game about strengthening the Human Rights Council, but this year all regional groups ignored the need for competitive elections,” Charbonneau said.

“Instead of pushing candidates to demonstrate they’re worthy of joining the UN’s premier human rights body, the UN membership has put forward a non-competitive vote that makes a mockery of the word ‘election.’”